Mini-Lesson

Water Conservation

Grades 2-3

Objective: Students will set water-conservation goals.

1. Start a discussion about the world's water supply. Ask: Why is it important not to waste the Earth's water? Then, share the following facts:

* Every person, animal and plant on Earth needs water to survive.

* The amount of water on Earth has never changed. It has been the same for billions of years.

* One out of every five people in the world does not have access to enough water.

* The average person in the United States uses 140 gallons of water per day, while the average person in Ethiopia in Africa uses less than three.

2. Have students read the timeforkids.com story, Water Troubles. As you read the article together, have students underline facts about the world's water situation. Then, have each person share which fact he or she found most surprising.

3. Encourage students to think about ways that they can start using less water. Use the worksheet Watch Your Water Use to give them some ideas. Finally, challenge students to set their own realistic water-conservation goals.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Have students to complete a newspaper-themed graphic organizer to show what they learned about the world's water troubles. Use the worksheet Water-Wise News.

Discuss the importance of saving energy in addition to water. Use the worksheet Pitch in for the Planet to get students thinking about how they can conserve energy at home and at school.

RESOURCES:

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Straus (Kids Can Press, 2007). Teaches kids how to conserve and protect our global well.

earthday.net Click on Resources, then Water for Life Campaign for more information on water conservation.